Brinsmead's Letter of Application
for the Position of Controller of Civil Aviation

'Hughenden'
Studley Avenue
Kew
7.10.20

From Lieut-Col H C Brinsmead

To The Secretary
Department of Defence - Melbourne

Civil Aviation

I have the honour to request that my name may be submitted to the Minister for Defence as an applicant for the appointment of Controller of Civil Aviation.

My army service commenced in 1914 & terminated in March 1920. I enlisted as a private & was discharged as a Lieut-Colonel.

My association with the Australian Flying Corps commenced soon after their arrival in England when after passing the Staff Course at Cambridge & the pilot's course at Northolt I was posted to them as a Staff Captain, being subsequently appointed Staff Officer Class 2 and ultimately Staff Officer for Aviation. This latter appointement I held until after the conclusion of hostilities & to immediately prior to the return of the A.F.C. to Australia, when Lt. Col. Williams took over the duties.

In Feb '19 at the request of the War Office I was posted to the British Delegation to the Peace Conference - Paris - & during my 8 months duty there I had the honour of being the only overseas officer attached to the C.I.G.S. [Chief of the Imperial General Staff] military section - I was in close touch with the inter-allied conference when Civil Aviation was under consideration. Having regard to my special knowledge of these subjects General Masterman, Chief of the Air Section of the inter-allied Commission of Control requested the War Office to post me to his staff.

I am fully aware that the organisation of the control of civil aviation in close liaison with army ??? requirements will present many complex problems for solution in the future and it is on my successful record in handling somewhat similar ones in the past that I ???? to request the Minister's consideration to my application for the new appointment.

H C Brinsmead
Lt. Col.

 

Back to Lt Col Brinsmead's biography